The New Orleans Pelicans bring their G League team, now the Laketown Squadron, to Kenner.
A suspected move was made official on Monday as the New Orleans Pelicans have officially announced the move of their NBA G League affiliate to Kenner and a rebrand as the "Laketown Squadron."
The team will play in the Ponchartrain Center starting in the 2026-2027 season. As a part of the benefit of getting a G League team, the Pontchartrain Center will be renovated and improved to be in line with G League standards.
This is a great move for the city of Kenner and should be one that benefits the team as well, as the G League team will now play closer than 10 miles from the Pelicans facility.
Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars had this to say on the transition in a released statement:
"The close proximity to Kenner gives us the ability to better align our basketball operations and coaching strategies, integrate player development, and enhance roster flexibility throughout the season. We are excited to announce this move and look forward to deepening our connection with the local community.”
Also excited about the move is Kenner Mayor Michael Glaser, who said this:
“The relocation of the Squadron to Laketown represents a significant economic development opportunity for the City of Kenner. We thank Mrs. Benson and the Pelicans organization for their investment because it aligns with our broader strategy to activate Kenner’s key assets, drive foot traffic, and support local businesses. Bringing a professional sports organization to our lakefront will generate consistent activity, create new revenue opportunities for surrounding businesses, and further position Laketown as a destination within the regional economy.”
The Squadron had been playing in Birmingham since transitioning from the Erie BayHawks back in 2021.